Romantic Period Literature

Romantic Period Literature Characteristics

Love of Nature

Emotions and instinct became more important than reason. There was a glorification of “The Natural Man”, the “noble savage,” and the primitive and untutored personality. Primitivism, meaning the thought that the simple and unsophisticated life was best, also grew popular. These ideas led to an interest in old civilizations, glorification of Greek society, a study in archeology developed as a science, with Egyptian and Medieval areas important to study. Also, the Medieval studies, urged by nationalism, helped nations develop identity, which was an important aspect of Romantic Period ideas.

Love of the Common Man

The social and economic classes were disparaged, or put down. An era of revolutions opened when the governments were overthrown, due to the fact that it often seemed to require elimination of social classes. The American writers also provided a way to satisfy a cultural need for lore, or a mythology suitable to a new nation. The literature presented this in many pieces.

Neo-Classicism

Neo-Classicism means a return to the Classic ideals of: clearness, elegance, symmetry, and repose produced by attention to traditional forms. It was sometimes synonymous with excellence or artistic quality of high distinction. Also, the term refers to the admiration and imitation of Greek and Roman literature, art, and architecture.

The Supernatural

Fascination with the supernatural was a characteristic of the Romantic Period. This included: the unexplainable, horror, and anything that evoked the emotion of fear.

Nationalism

Nationalism was a reaction against the dominating influences of German literature. Writers aimed to write works which were expressive and characteristic of their own nationality by: using scenes from their country’s life, history, folk-tales and legends as a basis for operas, songs, literature, and symphonic poems.

Heroism

The idea that anyone, especially the common man, could be a hero is a characteristic of the Romantic Period. Heroism is the overcoming of our natural fears and limitations to achieve great things.

Strange and Far-away Places

This characteristic relates to the love of exotic locations around the world and in time and space. This could include the past or the future as well as strange places or situations in the present.